Model Engine Works: September 2022

A set of coaches to complement a 009 Beyer Peacock with G.W.R. theme livery.

I decided to replicate a previous coach build using the same Ratio coach sides. My plan was to cut and reform these into sides for a small bogie first coach with three compartments, using a set of Ratio 612/123 GWR Composite coach sides. Also a small six-wheeler three compartments third coach, and a brake/mail coach also a six-wheeler, using Ratio 613/123 GWR Brake 3rd coach sides.

The wheel sets for these would be a Peco GR-106 bogie set for the bogie first coach and three Peco 10ft wooden wagon chassis to form the six wheelers.

The plan with Peco 10ft wooden wagon chassis was to cut the first one in half and use the brake details, then cut a second to fit equally between the first removing the brake details just leaving the axle boxes of the central one. All of the moulded buffers were removed leaving clean square ends to butt together and glue with liquid polystyrene cement. This was done, top down on a flat non plastic surface. This created the chassis frame for the brake/mail coach which was going to be visible.

For the second chassis, I did the same thing cutting a chassis in half, but this time removed all the brake gear and with the remaining axal box from the first conversion I positioned this between the two halves, then with some Plasticard packers added between to create a longer version to suit the compartment, third coach. This coach frame was to have running boards fitted at the height of the axle boxes so details like the baking gear would not be seen.

The central wheels are flangeless, a simple solution and while fiddly to create is an idea that has been used for a long time by manufacturers. These N gauge wheels are so small it is very hard to see if they have flanges or not. I did the removal with a sharp scalpel, carefully scoring around the wheel rim several times until the flange ring popped off. When on the track it looks as any six-wheeler would but has the simple ability to negotiate tight radius curves like any four wheel chassis.

The core of the coach body is formed in 3mm balsa wood, this includes the base and compartment divisions. These are cut and shaped to a template, so they are all the same section. They are then glued to the base at 90º to line up with the coach sides window frames. On the compartment, third coach the thickness at the edges was reduced on both sides to allow for the thinner window frame sections. The coach ends are cut and shaped from 1mm Plasticard again using a template to get them all the same. The plank effect is scribed (not cut) into the surface with a sharp pointed Vee, using the back of a knife blade, then clean off with wet and dry paper to get rid of the burs.

To form the roofs, I have used a cold moulding method with brown gum paper tape, not the reinforced type but the artist's type which comes on a very long roll and is 50mm wide. The former for the roofs is the spray primer can which I later used to prime the model, so nothing special. It is just the right length and curve for the job. The first of 5 layers are stuck in place on the can with masking tape at each end gum side up, lining this up carefully is important to make sure the roof is not twisted. The next layers are all added to this gum side down, dipping in a shallow tray of water to activate the gum. These are cut smaller than the first layer, so they do not cover the masking tape and make it easier to remove when dry. The roof should be left to dry fully usually overnight will be fine. They can now be cut to size to suit the coach body they are to be used on.

The roof is located with some small strips of balsa wood at each corner, the rain gutters are made from strips of Plasticard bent and fixed with contact adhesive, and the roof vents are a set from Dundas Models. Once all was put together and dry, I sprayed it with a grey primer. It was then cleaned off any blemishes. I used a combination of grey and white primers to give different shades of grey on each of the coach's roofs.

The coach bodies and chassis were then assembled onto the balsa wood cores using contact adhesive, and the ends and sides were glued with liquid polystyrene cement. After this a set of running boards were added, one on the bogie first coach, two high on the compartment third coach, and steps only at the doors on the brake/mail coach. This gives a good idea of what the various styles look like. To strengthen the lower boards on the compartment third coach, I used some small wire brackets bent at 90º and fitted into holes drilled in the bottom of the upper running boards when fixed to the coach. The lower boards were glued to these and the axle boxes, which has been a good stable platform.

Next, I added Peco NEM coupling pockets to the coaches, these can sit directly in front of the N gauge coupling mouldings, you will need to open the mouldings out to allow the new pockets to be fitted in the correct positions on the chassis, also a small amount of the pocket mould will need to be trimmed back. The good thing with these is that they sit at more or less the right level to work with other 009 couplings.

Painting, I used a grey primer as the base coat, I then masked off the bottom and interior of the windows to spray the upper sides in white primer. The upper coach sides were finished in a matt mid-cream mix and the bottom and ends of the two passenger coaches were finished in a Humbrol M160 brown. The brake coach was finished in a red/maroon mix giving a deep red shade, the ends of this one and all of the coach chassis and running boards were finished in Revell M9 Anthracite. Handles were picked out in Humbrol brass metallic, and the window frames were lined in the respective coach bottom colours as a contrast to the cream upper sides.

The lettering was added using some Old Time Works gold First and Third signs on the centre door mid panel of the passenger coaches. The brake coach received Guard and luggage on each door and black 2mm MAIL on each side upper panels between the doors. A black lining added a definition between the upper cream and the lower colour, this was done with a Staedtler permanent Lumocolour fine pen and a ruler. All of this was then sealed with an overall coat of satin varnish to all areas of the coaches.

I then added some sheet lead weight to each of the coaches and clear glazing as a finishing touch. The results are good vernation on the wood grain coach I did using this method previously. They look well with the Beyer Peacock. Also, I have a nice simple method of making 009 six wheelers now, I will have to try it on some wagon next.

Tuesday, 13 September 2022

009 Coaches Using Moulded Sides